THE Environment Agency has announced proposals to scale back its flood defence management in Sefton after its government funding was slashed.

As a result, homes throughout Formby, Hightown, Crosby, Thornton, Lydiate, Maghull, Aintree Village, Melling and parts of West Lancs could be at greater risk of flooding. My website has a link to an e-petition on the government’s website.

Please add your name to the formal e-petition to force the government into a u-turn. If we can get 100,000 names, the government must discuss this issue in parliament. The address is www.bill.esterson.org.uk

By us all adding our voices to the campaign we may be able to push the government into seeing sense and reinstating the vital flood defence funding.

The government has confirmed they will not be giving the green light to improving disabled access to Formby Train Station.

I took the call for improved disabled access to Parliament the Formby Action Team received growing numbers of complaints from Formby people wanting a lift at the station.

In the House of Commons, I asked a question about Formby Station.

I said: “Elderly and disabled constituents of mine would like to access the rail network but are prevented from doing so by the poor station facilities. Merseytravel has had a budget cut of two thirds, which has caused delays to the installation of a lift at Formby station, to give one example.

“That lift is vital if elderly and disabled people are to be able to travel on the rail network at all. Will the Minister consider reversing that cut?”